Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
September 19, 2017

Not even the threat of tropical storm, Maria, could stop Rosalie Carlotta Cox’s two surviving children and other close relatives from celebrating her 100th birthday today.

When Acting Governor General, Sir Philip Greaves, arrived at Cox’s home at 2nd Avenue, Hoyte’s Village, St James, Cox was sitting quietly in her living room resplendent in a blue dress and matching blue hat.

After wishing Cox happy birthday and engaging her in chit-chat, Sir Philip presented the birthday girl with a bouquet of flowers, a personal birthday card and a bottle of non-alcoholic wine.

Sir Philip read the contents of his birthday card for Cox and told her even though she has reached a major milestone, he hoped she enjoys some more years among her close relatives.

The gathering which included her two surviving children, daughter Melda Hinds, son Clem Cox, and grand-son Elvis Thompson joined with Sir Philip in singing happy birthday to Cox.

Sir Philip and Cox’s relatives later toasted Cox on reaching the milestone and wished Cox a happy birthday. Cox later recited Psalm 23 from memory to the amazement of those gathered for the occasion.

Commenting on the life of his grand-mother, Thompson said: “She raised me and I always found her to be a quiet person. I have never seen her in any quarrel with her neighbours. On one occasion, she saw me liming with some boys in the district and she threatened to put some lashes on me.”

Her son Clem recognized that his mother has reached a milestone and thanked Sir Philip for paying the visit.

Her daughter Melda told members of the press that her mother had seven children, four of whom she raised. She pointed out that she and her brother Clem are the only surviving children.

Giving an insight into her mother’s life, Melda said: “She came from French Village, St Peter and like most young people of the day worked as an agricultural labourer even though she felt she was a bright student.”

Asked to give reasons for her mother’s longevity, Melda said her mother ate such ground provisions as yams and sweet potatoes.

Melda said in her youth her mother attended All Saints Anglican Church at Pleasant Hall, St Peter, but over the past 50 years, she has been a member of the Pentecost Church in French Village, in the same parish.